US20130020140A1 - Fastening device - Google Patents

Abstract

A fixing device for releasable fixing an electrical energy accumulator to a carrying structure of a motor vehicle includes at least one insertion bolt and a receiver unit for the insertion bolt which are provided on the carrying structure and on the energy accumulator (or vice versa). The insertion bolt includes a retaining protrusion and the receiver unit includes a cage and a locking element mounted in the cage. The cage includes an insertion opening into which the insertion bolt can be introduced along an insertion direction, and the locking element can be moved between a release position and a locked position. In the release position, the locking element opens the insertion opening for introduction of the insertion bolt and in the locked position engages behind the retaining protrusion of the insertion bolt when the insertion bolt is introduced in the insertion opening of the cage.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
• The present application is a National Stage Application of PCT International Application No. PCT/EP2011/055546 (filed on Apr. 8, 2011), under 35 U.S.C. §371, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/322,289 (filed on Apr. 9, 2010) and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/321,936 (filed on Apr. 8, 2010), which are each hereby incorporated by reference in their respective entireties.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention concerns a fastening device for releasable fastening/fixing an electrical energy accumulator to a carrying structure of a motor vehicle, in particular an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• Electric or hybrid vehicles have an electric drive motor which transmits a torque to the vehicle wheels. The energy to operate the electric drive motor is taken from the energy accumulator, which in particular can be a rechargeable battery, i.e., an accumulator. Usually such a battery has an array of galvanic cells accommodated in a housing. The battery can for example be bolted to the chassis of the motor vehicle.
• When a battery change is required on the vehicle, the bolted connection between the battery and the vehicle must be released and after removal of the old battery, a replacement battery bolted in. Because of wear on the thread, the reliability of the bolted connection can deteriorate, in particular on frequent replacement procedures. Furthermore a bolted connection with a safety-critical character requires a relatively high installation complexity e.g. in the form of particularly detailed documentation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• The object of the invention is therefore to make the releasable fixing of an energy accumulator to the chassis of a motor vehicle simpler and safer.
• The object is achieved by a fixing device for releasable fixing of an electrical energy accumulator to a carrying structure of a motor vehicle, in particular a hybrid vehicle or electric vehicle, with at least one insertion bolt and a receiver unit for the insertion bolt which are provided on the carrying structure and on the energy accumulator or vice versa, wherein the insertion bolt comprises a retaining protrusion, wherein the receiver unit comprises a cage and a locking element mounted in the cage, wherein the cage comprises an insertion opening into which the insertion bolt can be introduced along an insertion direction, and wherein the locking element can be moved between a release position and a locked position, wherein in the release position the locking element opens the insertion opening for introduction of the insertion bolt and in the locked position engages behind the retaining protrusion of the insertion bolt when the insertion bolt is introduced into the insertion opening of the cage.
• In accordance with embodiments of the invention, a fixing device comprises at least one insertion bolt and a receiver unit for the insertion bolt which are provided on the carrying structure and on the energy accumulator or vice versa, wherein the insertion bolt comprises a retaining protrusion, wherein the receiver unit comprises a cage and a locking element mounted in the cage, wherein the cage comprises an insertion opening into which the insertion bolt can be introduced along an insertion direction, and wherein the locking element can be moved between a release position and a locked position, wherein in the release position the locking element opens the insertion opening for insertion of the insertion bolt, and in the locked position engages behind the retaining protrusion of the insertion bolt when the insertion bolt is introduced into the insertion opening of the cage.
• The insertion bolt can be attached to the carrying structure as a separate component or molded directly thereon. The receiver unit is preferably attached to a housing of the energy accumulator. It is also possible for the receiver unit to be attached to the carrying structure and the insertion bolt be attached to or molded on the housing of the energy accumulator. When the locking element is in the release position, the energy accumulator can be brought up to the vehicle and by introduction of the insertion bolt into the insertion opening of the cage, arranged in the correct position on the carrying structure. A reliable form-fit connection is created by subsequent movement of the locking element into the locked position because of the engagement of the retaining protrusion of the insertion bolt. To change the energy accumulator, the locking element need merely be moved into the release position so that the insertion bolt can be extracted from the receiver unit again.
• To attach an energy accumulator to the vehicle therefore only one insertion process and one movement of the locking element are required, leading to simple and rapid installation. In particular a battery change can also be performed by untrained personnel. Because of the form-fit engagement between the insertion bolt and the receiver unit however a high degree of safety is guaranteed. No thread wear occurs so that more frequent changing of the energy accumulator is possible without problems.
• Refinements of the invention are described in the secondary claims, the description and the attached drawings.
• In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the insertion bolt comprises at least one centering surface which is oriented obliquely to the insertion direction of the insertion bolt, wherein the cage of the receiver unit comprises at least one stop surface which is oriented obliquely to the insertion direction of the insertion bolt, wherein the centering surface of the insertion bolt and the stop surface of the cage cooperate on introduction of the insertion bolt into the insertion opening such that the insertion bolt and the cage are centered relative to each other in at least one direction perpendicular to the insertion direction. The centering surface and the stop surface thus serve as centering aids. In particular, before introduction of the insertion bolt, no complex precise positioning of the energy accumulator relative to the carrying structure is required.
• In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the centering surface of the insertion bolt is conical. The insertion bolt can thus be centered in various directions.
• The stop surface of the cage can be conical or planar or the cage can comprise two planar stop surfaces tilted relative to each other. In particular, the centering surface of the insertion bolt can be conical and the stop surface of the cage can also be conical. In this case, centering is possible in any arbitrary direction perpendicular to the insertion direction. Preferably, in such an embodiment the cone surfaces are formed similarly so that after introduction of the insertion bolt into the receiver unit, a large stop surface results with high strength. On a design with two planar stop surfaces, in one direction there is a degree of freedom of movement between the insertion bolt and the receiver unit which helps to compensate for tolerances.
• An elastically deformable damping element can be provided on the centering surface of the insertion bolt or on the stop surface of the cage. Such a damping element can reduce or prevent undesirable noise and vibrations.
• The insertion opening of the cage can be a slot. A slot is particularly useful as an insertion opening if two planar stop surfaces, tilted relative to each other, are provided on the cage, wherein the longitudinal direction of the slot runs parallel to the two planar stop surfaces. The degree of freedom of movement is then retained as the insertion bolt can move in the slot in the corresponding longitudinal direction of the slot.
• The locking element preferably defines a passage opening with variable width. By moving the locking element in the cage, the width of the passage opening can be reduced whereby the edging of the passage opening comes ever closer to the bolt and finally engages behind its retaining protrusion. I.e. the edging of the passage opening defines a blocking surface which, on movement of the locking element, comes into a form-fit engagement with the retaining protrusion.
• The locking element can be twisted between the release position and the locked position about a rotation axis. This leads to a particularly simple activation of the locking element to fix or release the connection. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the blocking surface of the locking element forms a curved track, in particular two curved tracks concentric in segments. Alternatively, the locking element can also move in a straight line.
• In accordance with a further refinement of the invention, the locking element is mounted in the cage with play such that the locking element is mobile in two dimensions relative to the cage in a plane running transverse to the insertion direction of the insertion bolt. Such a mounting can be used to compensate for tolerances. The abovementioned rotation axis of a twistable locking element is thus also shifted two-dimensionally.
• The locking element can furthermore comprise a blocking surface which engages behind the retaining protrusion of the insertion bolt when the insertion bolt is introduced into the insertion opening of the cage and the locking element is moved into the locked position, wherein the blocking surface of the locking element is tilted at least in segments in relation to a plane normal to the insertion direction. The blocking surface can for example be the edging of said passage opening. The tilt ensures that the insertion bolt, on movement of the locking element from the release position into the locked position, is tensioned against said stop surface of the receiver unit, preferably in a self-inhibiting manner. Activation of the locking element thus causes not only a locking of the energy accumulator on the carrying structure but also security against undesirable wobbling.
• The receiver unit can comprise a securing device by means of which the locking element can be secured in the release position and/or in the locked position, in particular by a respective catch closure. Such a securing device can offer protection against accidental release of the fixing device.
• Furthermore, the free end of the insertion bolt can comprise an in particular conical insertion chamfer. Such an insertion chamfer can be an additional mounting aid. In particular by means of the insertion chamfer, rough pre-positioning can be carried out before the actual centering process using the centering surface and the stop surface.
• The invention furthermore concerns a fixing system with several, preferably two, three or four fixing devices of said type, wherein the fixing devices are preferably provided for different corner regions of the energy accumulator. An energy accumulator can thus be held securely on the vehicle by the fixing devices alone. Preferably the energy accumulator is attached to the vehicle from below. To this end a cavity can be provided on the underside of the vehicle to receive the energy accumulator.
• In accordance with one embodiment of such a fixing system, the cage of the receiver unit of a first of the several fixing devices comprises a conical stop surface which cooperates with the conical centering surface of the insertion bolt of the first fixing device such that the insertion bolt and the cage are centered relative to each other in two mutually perpendicular directions within a plane normal to the insertion direction. The cage of the receiver unit of a second of the several fixing devices comprises at least one planar stop surface which is oriented obliquely to the insertion direction of the insertion bolt of the second fixing device and which cooperates with a conical centering surface or at least one planar centering surface of the insertion bolt such that the insertion bolt and the cage are centered relative to each other in a first direction perpendicular to the insertion direction. The first fixing device thus achieves a complete centering of the energy accumulator and the carrying structure in the normal plane, whereas in the second fixing device there is a degree of freedom in a direction transverse to the insertion direction, which allows compensation for tolerance-induced mis-positioning.
• In accordance with a refinement of this embodiment, the cage of the receiver unit of a third of the several fixing devices comprises at least one planar stop surface which is oriented obliquely to the insertion direction of the insertion bolt of the third fixing device and which cooperates with a conical centering surface or at least one planar centering surface of the insertion bolt such that the insertion bolt and the cage are centered relative to each other in a second direction perpendicular to the insertion direction, wherein the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction. Whereas the energy accumulator in this embodiment is again held in all spatial directions on the first fixing device, with the second and third fixing devices there are degrees of freedom which allow compensation for tolerances. As the first direction and second direction run perpendicular to each other, the position of the energy accumulator is however fully defined after fixing.
• At least one of the several fixing devices can comprise a receiver unit for an insertion bolt on which no obliquely oriented stop surface is provided for the insertion bolt. In this way over-determination can be avoided.
• In accordance with an alternative embodiment of said fixing system, the cage of the receiver unit of a first of the several fixing devices is formed without an obliquely oriented stop surface for the insertion bolt and the cage of the receiver unit of a second of the several fixing devices comprises at least one planar stop surface which is oriented obliquely to the insertion direction of the insertion bolt of the second fixing device and which cooperates with a conical centering surface or at least one planar centering surface of the insertion bolt such that the insertion bolt and the cage are centered relative to each other in a first direction perpendicular to the insertion direction. This embodiment allows a greater tolerance with regard to orientation of the energy accumulator relative to the carrying structure.
• Furthermore, the cage of the receiver unit of a third of the several fixing devices can comprise at least one planar stop surface which is oriented obliquely to the insertion direction of the insertion bolt of the third fixing device and which cooperates with a conical centering surface or at least one planar centering surface of the insertion bolt such that the insertion bolt and the cage are centered relative to each other in a second direction perpendicular to the insertion direction, wherein the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction. The precise orientation of the energy accumulator relative to the carrying structure in this embodiment is thus achieved exclusively via the planar chamfer surfaces oriented perpendicular to each other of the first and the second fixing device.
• Preferably two receiver units with planar stop surfaces are provided which are active perpendicular to each other.
• The invention also relates to an energy accumulator system for a motor vehicle with at least one electrical energy accumulator and with several fixing devices of said type for fixing the energy accumulator releasably to a carrying structure of the motor vehicle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• The invention is now described below as an example with reference to the drawings, in which:
• FIG. 1 illustrates a motor vehicle with a carrying structure and an energy accumulator to be fixed to the carrying structure by means of a fixing system in accordance with embodiments of the invention.
• FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a fixing device in accordance with embodiments of the invention.
• FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of the fixing device inFIG. 2.
• FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective, partly cut-away depiction of the fixing device inFIG. 2.
• FIG. 5 illustrates a side section view of the fixing device inFIG. 2.
• FIG. 6 illustrates an insertion bolt of the fixing device ofFIG. 2 in a first phase of introduction into an associated receiver unit.
• FIG. 7 illustrates the insertion bolt ofFIG. 6 in a second phase of introduction.
• FIG. 8 illustrates the insertion bolt in fully introduced state, wherein a locking element for the receiver unit is in a release position.
• FIG. 9 illustrates the arrangement ofFIG. 8, wherein the locking element is in the locked position.
• FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective, partly cut-away depiction of a fixing device in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 11 illustrates a top view of the fixing device in accordance with embodiments of the invention which comprises a securing device.
• FIG. 12 illustrates a back view of a fixing device ofFIG. 11.
• FIG. 13 illustrates various embodiments of fixing devices in accordance with embodiments of the invention which differ with regard to the form of a stop surface of the receiver unit and/or a form of a centering surface of the insertion bolt.
• FIG. 14 illustrates the fixing devices ofFIG. 13 in a locked state.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
• FIG. 1 illustrates in simplified form parts of an electric vehicle with a carryingframe11, on the underside of which anenergy accumulator13, e.g., a rechargeable battery can be fastened or otherwise fixed releasably. Fixing takes place by means of four fixing devices which each comprise aninsertion bolt15 attached to the supportingframe11 and areceiver unit17 provided on theenergy accumulator13 for receiving theinsertion bolt15. As illustrated inFIG. 1, theenergy accumulator13 has a substantiallycubic housing12 with aperipheral protrusion14, wherein thereceiver units17 are provided at the respective corner regions of theperipheral protrusion14. The fourinsertion bolts15 are arranged on the carryingframe11 such that they can be introduced simultaneously into thereceiver units17 along an insertion direction E when theenergy accumulator13 is brought up to the carryingframe11.
• The fixing devices are fitted with a mechanism for releasable locking of theenergy accumulator13 to the carryingframe11, as will be explained below with reference toFIGS. 2 to 5. Each of thereceiver units17 comprises acage19 and a lockingelement21 held therein. The lockingelement21 is shaped as a disk and therefore mounted mobile in thecage19 such that it is rotatable about a rotation axis R and at the same time displaceable by a predetermined amount in a plane perpendicular to rotation axis R. Thecage19 in accordance withFIGS. 4 and 5 defines aninsertion opening23 for introduction of aninsertion bolt15. Aconical stop surface29 extends around theinsertion opening23. The lockingelement21 has a centrally locatedactivation segment27 with a hexagonal-shaped head and defines a curved passage opening25 running in segments concentric to rotation axis R and having a variable width.
• Theinsertion bolt15 at its free end has aconical insertion chamfer31 which transforms into a retainingprotrusion33. In thecylindrical segment34 following theinsertion chamfer31 and the retainingprotrusion33 against the insertion direction E is provided a conical centeringsurface35, the form of which corresponds to theconical stop surface29 of thecage19.
• As illustrated inFIG. 5, a blockingsurface37 of the lockingelement21 formed by the edging of thepassage opening25 is tilted in relation to a normal plane to the insertion direction E, i.e., the blockingsurface37 forms a ramp.
• By turning theactivation segment27, the lockingelement21 can be moved between a release position illustrated inFIG. 4 and a locked position. When the lockingelement21 is in the release position, theinsertion opening23 of thecage19 aligns with the wider part of the passage opening25 of the lockingelement21 so that theinsertion bolt15 can be introduced into theinsertion opening23. When theinsertion bolt15 is in thereceiver unit17 and the lockingelement21 is moved from the release position to the locked position, theinsertion opening23 of thecage19 in contrast aligns with the narrower part of thepassage opening25 so that the blockingsurface37 can engage behind the retainingprotrusion33 of theinsertion bolt15.
• The fixing process is now explained in more detail below with reference toFIGS. 6 to 9. First, theenergy accumulator13 is roughly prepositioned and brought up to the carryingframe11 in order to introduce theinsertion bolt15 along insertion direction E into thereceiver units17. Insofar as one of theinsertion bolts15 and associatedreceiver unit17 are not precisely centered, theinsertion chamfer31 of theinsertion bolt15, as illustrated inFIG. 6, comes into contact with theconical stop surface29 of thecage19 and causes a correcting orientation of theenergy accumulator13 relative to the carryingframe11 so that theinsertion bolt15 can be passed through theinsertion opening23 of thecage19.
• As illustrated inFIGS. 7 and 8, theinsertion bolt15 is moved further in the insertion direction E until the centeringsurface35 of theinsertion bolt15 comes to rest on thestop surface29 of thecage19. In this state, theconical surfaces29,35 lie against each other over their full surface. Then, for example, by means of a tool, the lockingelement21 on theactivation segment27 is twisted or otherwise manipulated about rotation axis R, wherein the width of thepassage opening25 at the site of theinsertion bolt15 is reduced and the blockingsurface37 thus engages behind the retainingprotrusion33 of theinsertion bolt15. Because of the tilt of the blockingsurface37, the centeringsurface35 of theinsertion bolt15 is thus tensioned against thestop surface29 of thecage19. Thepassage opening25 with blockingsurface37 can then be structured such that a self-inhibiting effect results. If the lockingelement21 has then reached the locked position illustrated inFIG. 9, theinsertion bolt15 is connected by form fit with thereceiver unit17 and secured against wobbling.
• FIG. 10 illustrates a fixing device in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention in which the retainingprotrusion33 of theinsertion bolt15 is formed by agroove50 provided in thecylindrical segment34. In essence, the retainingprotrusion33 here does not protrude in relation to thecylindrical segment34. Otherwise, the fixing device functions as in the arrangement illustrated inFIGS. 4 to 9, wherein to lock, the blockingsurface37 engages in thegroove50.
• In accordance with an embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 11 and 12, thereceiver unit17 comprises anadditional securing device39 in the form of acatch lever41 mounted swivelably on thecage19, on one end of which is provided acatch protrusion43 which engages in one of tworecesses45 provided on the lockingelement21. The tworecesses45 of the lockingelement21 are arranged such that the lockingelement21 can be engaged with thecage19 by means of thecatch lever41 either in the release position or in the locked position. By pressing on the end of thecatch lever41 opposite thecatch protrusion43, thecatch protrusion43 can be moved out of therespective recess45 and the catch thus released. Aspring47 illustrated inFIG. 11 pretensions thecatch lever41 in the engaged position.
• FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate various variants of the fixing devices in accordance with the invention.FIG. 13 illustrates therespective insertion bolts15 andreceiver units17 in separated state, whereasFIG. 14 illustrates theinsertion bolts15 in connection with the associatedreceiver units17. The embodiment in the left-hand part ofFIGS. 13 and 14 corresponds to the embodiments described above in connection withFIGS. 1 to 12, in which both the centeringsurface35 of the retainingbolt15 and thestop surface29 of thecage19 are conical. In this locking variant, precise centering is achieved in all spatial directions. In accordance with the embodiment illustrated in the middle part ofFIGS. 13 and 14, the centeringsurface35 of theinsertion bolt15 is also conical, thestop surface29′ of thecage19, however, has two planar chamfer surfaces tilted relative to each other. In this embodiment, theinsertion bolt15 can be moved by a specific amount in a direction perpendicular to insertion direction E even after stopping on thestop surface29′, i.e., there is a degree of freedom of movement to compensate for tolerances. To allow the compensation movement, furthermore theinsertion opening23′ of thecage19 is formed as a slot. In the embodiment illustrated on the right-hand part ofFIGS. 13 and 14, neither theinsertion bolt15 nor thereceiver unit17 have centering chamfer surfaces and theinsertion opening23″ is enlarged in relation to the embodiments inFIGS. 1 to 12 so that theinsertion bolt15, after being fully introduced up to aplanar stop49, can be moved to all sides in a plane perpendicular to the insertion direction E.
• By a combination of the variants illustrated inFIGS. 13 and 14, precise centering of theenergy accumulator13 on the associated carryingframe11 can be achieved while avoiding over-determination of the system. For example, at one corner region of theenergy accumulator13 can be provided a fully centering fixing device in accordance with the left-hand part ofFIGS. 13 and 14, while at the other three corner regions of theenergy accumulator13 only partly centering fixing devices are provided. Preferably, at one corner region a fixing device is provided with conical chamfer surfaces and at two further corner regions fixing devices with planar chamfer surfaces are provided, wherein the planar chamfer surfaces are oriented perpendicular to each other to create a possibility of centering in directions independent of each other.
• As a whole, embodiments of the invention allows a releasable fixing of an electrical accumulator to a motor vehicle, wherein a change of energy accumulator can be carried out quickly and easily and repeated as often as required without excessive wear phenomena.
• Although embodiments have been described herein, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
• 11 Carrying frame
• 12 Housing
• 13 Energy accumulator
• 14 Peripheral protrusion
• 15 Insertion bolt
• 17 Receiver unit
• 19 Cage
• 21 Locking element
• 23,23′,23″ Insertion opening
• 25 Passage opening
• 27 Activation segment
• 29,29′ Stop surface
• 31 Insertion chamfer
• 33 Retaining protrusion
• 34 Cylindrical segment
• 35 Centering surface
• 37 Blocking surface
• 39 Securing device
• 41 Catch lever
• 43 Catch protrusion
• 45 Recess
• 47 Spring
• 49 Planar stop
• 50 Groove
• E Insertion direction
• R Rotation axis

Claims (21)

1-18. (canceled)

19. A fixing device for releasable fixing a rechargeable battery to a carrying structure of a motor vehicle, the fixing device comprising:

at least one insertion bolt including an insertion bolt body having a retaining protrusion; and

a receiver unit for the rechargeable battery and configured to receive the insertion bolt, the receiver unit including:

a receiver unit body having an insertion opening into which the insertion bolt body is introduced along an insertion direction; and

a locking element mounted in the receiver unit body for movement between a release position in which the locking element opens the insertion opening for introduction of the insertion bolt body, and a locked position in which engages behind the retaining protrusion of the insertion bolt body when the insertion bolt body is introduced into the insertion opening of the receiver unit body.

20. The fixing device ofclaim 19, wherein:

the insertion bolt body comprises at least one centering surface which is oriented obliquely relative to the insertion direction of the insertion bolt body;

the receiver unit body comprises at least one stop surface which is oriented obliquely relative to the insertion direction of the insertion bolt body; and

the centering surface of the insertion bolt body and the stop surface of the receiver unit body cooperate on introduction of the insertion bolt into the insertion opening such that the insertion bolt body and the receiver unit body are centered relative to each in at least one direction perpendicular to the insertion direction.

21. The fixing device ofclaim 20, wherein the centering surface of the insertion bolt body has a conical cross-section.

22. The fixing device ofclaim 20, further comprising an elastically deformable damping element provided on one of the centering surface of the insertion bolt body and on the stop surface of the receiver unit body.

23. The fixing device ofclaim 20, wherein:

the receiver unit body comprises a pair of stop surfaces which are tilted relative to each other; and

the insertion opening of the receiver unit body comprises a slot which extends parallel to the stop surfaces.

24. The fixing device ofclaim 19, wherein the locking element defines a passage opening with variable width.

25. The fixing device ofclaim 19, wherein the locking element is configured for manipulation about a rotation axis between the release position and the locked position.

26. The fixing device ofclaim 19, wherein the locking element is mounted in the receiver unit body with play such that the locking element is mobile in two dimensions relative to the receiver unit body in a plane running transverse to the insertion direction of the insertion bolt body.

27. The fixing device ofclaim 19, wherein:

the locking element comprises a blocking surface which engages behind the retaining protrusion of the insertion bolt body when the insertion bolt body is introduced into the insertion opening of the receiver unit body and the locking element is moved into the locked position; and

the blocking surface of the locking element is tilted at least in segments in relation to a plane normal to the insertion direction.

28. The fixing device ofclaim 19, wherein the receiver unit comprises a securing device configured to secure the locking element in at least one of the release position and the locked position by a respective catch closure.

29. The fixing device ofclaim 19, wherein a free end of the insertion bolt body comprises an insertion chamfer.

30. A system for releasably fixing a rechargeable battery to a motor vehicle, the device comprising:

a plurality of receiver units for the rechargeable battery, each one of the receiver units including:

a receiver unit body having an insertion opening into which the insertion bolt is introduced along an insertion direction; and

a locking element mounted in the receiver unit body for movement between a release position in which the locking element opens the insertion opening for introduction of the insertion bolt, and a locked position in which engages behind the retaining protrusion of the insertion bolt when the insertion bolt is introduced into the insertion opening of the receiver unit body;

an insertion bolt configured for receipt in a respective one of the receiver units, the insertion bolt including an insertion bolt body having a retaining protrusion.

31. The system ofclaim 30, wherein:

the receiver unit body of at least one of the receiver units comprises a stop surface which cooperates with a corresponding centering surface of a corresponding insertion bolt body such that the insertion bolt body and the receiver unit body are centered relative to each other in mutually perpendicular directions within a plane normal to the insertion direction;

the receiver unit body of at least one of the receiver units comprises at least one stop surface which is oriented obliquely to the insertion direction of a corresponding insertion bolt body and which cooperates with a centering surface of the insertion bolt body such that the insertion bolt body and the receiver unit body are centered relative to each other in a first direction perpendicular to the insertion direction;

the receiver unit body of at least one of the receiver units comprises at least one stop surface which is oriented obliquely to the insertion direction of a corresponding insertion bolt body and which cooperates with a centering surface of the insertion bolt body such that the insertion bolt and the receiver unit body are centered relative to each other in a second direction perpendicular to the insertion direction; and

the second direction being perpendicular to the first direction.

32. The system ofclaim 30, wherein the receiver unit body of at least one of the receiver units does not have a stop surface which is obliquely oriented to the insertion direction of a corresponding insertion bolt body.

33. The system ofclaim 30, wherein:

the receiver unit body of at least one of the receiver units does not have a stop surface which is obliquely oriented to the insertion direction of a corresponding insertion bolt body;

the receiver unit body of at least one of the receiver units comprises a stop surface which is obliquely oriented to the insertion direction of a corresponding insertion bolt body and which cooperates with a corresponding ce+ntering surface of a corresponding insertion bolt body such that the insertion bolt body and the receiver unit body are centered relative to each other in a first direction perpendicular to the insertion direction.

34. The system ofclaim 33, wherein:

the receiver unit body of at least one of the receiver units comprises at least one stop surface which is oriented obliquely to the insertion direction of a corresponding insertion bolt body and which cooperates with a centering surface of the insertion bolt body such that the insertion bolt and the receiver unit body are centered relative to each other in a second direction perpendicular to the insertion direction; and

the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction.

35. A vehicle comprising:

a carrying structure;

a rechargeable battery; and

a device for releasable fixing the rechargeable battery to the carrying structure, the device including:

at least one insertion bolt including an insertion bolt body having a retaining protrusion; and

a receiver unit for the rechargeable battery and configured to receive the insertion bolt, the receiver unit including a receiver unit body having an insertion opening into which the insertion bolt body is introduced along an insertion direction, and a locking element mounted in the receiver unit body for movement between a release position in which the locking element opens the insertion opening for introduction of the insertion bolt body, and a locked position in which engages behind the retaining protrusion of the insertion bolt body when the insertion bolt body is introduced into the insertion opening of the receiver unit body.

36. The vehicle ofclaim 35, wherein:

the insertion bolt body comprises at least one centering surface which is oriented obliquely relative to the insertion direction of the insertion bolt body;

the receiver unit body comprises at least one stop surface which is oriented obliquely relative to the insertion direction of the insertion bolt body; and

the centering surface of the insertion bolt body and the stop surface of the receiver unit body cooperate on introduction of the insertion bolt into the insertion opening such that the insertion bolt body and the receiver unit body are centered relative to each in at least one direction perpendicular to the insertion direction.

37. The vehicle ofclaim 35, wherein the vehicle comprises a hybrid vehicle.

38. The vehicle ofclaim 35, wherein the vehicle comprises an electric vehicle.

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